Staple blank and staple element strip



Aug. 15, UB Y STAPLE BLANK AND STAPLE ELEMENT STRIP Filed April 11, 1966 INVE NTOR MARVIN LIBBY uQmzw M I ATTORNEY United statcs Patent 3,335,856 STAPLE BLANK AND STAPLE ELEMENT STRIP Marvin Libby, Fresh Meadows, N.Y., assignor to Spotnails, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 541,847 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) This invention relates to a staple blank and a staple element strip and involves improvements to the structure disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,743,445 of Hershey Lerner issued May 1, 1956.

Experience with the Lerner structure has shown a number of disadvantages which are set forth seriatim:

(l) The adhesive utilized between adjacent staple elements is, of course, sticky. When adjacent staple blanks are adhered together with the sticky adhesive and the assembly then rolled into a compact roll adjacent plies of the roll have a tendency to stick together. This caused serious disadvantages in the operation of the invention and in its use. Where a tape was used to overlie the adhesive the tape was conventionally made of the same width as that of the adhesive layer. As a result, the adhesive would creep beyond the Width of the tape and as a result, would cause adherence to adjacent plies of the staple element strip when the staple element strip was rolled into the form of a roll.

(2) In the original Lerner construction the adhesive between adjacent staple blanks extended along their entire length. Hence when these staple blanks were formed into U-shaped staple elements the adhesive between the adjacent blanks had a tendency to resist the deformation of the staple blanks into U-shaped staple elements. This caused serious wear of the machines in which the staple elements were utilized. The present invention avoids this disadvantage by placing adhesive only upon the intermediate portions of each of the staple blanks (the portion which is to form the crown of a subsequently formed U-shaped staple).

(3) Where staple blanks of relatively large diameters were utilized, since the sides of the staple blanks were of arcuate configuration, the roll produced was not compact but considerable wasted space was produced because adjacent staple elements could not twist into arcuate form. The instant invention avoids this disadvantage by utilizing convex arcuate side faces of each staple blank.

(4) Where the staple blanks of the original Lerner invention were placed in a channel of a machine, since the end portions thereof were flat and not pointed, the staple blanks had a tendency to stick in the channel. This has also been eliminated in the instant invention.

The above sets forth a brief description of the instant invention and the principal objects and advantages thereof. Other objects and advantages will become obvious to the reader of this specification as this description proceeds.

The invention will now be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a roll of staple blanks made in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a staple blank made in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of a portion of the feed channel of a fastener driving machine and a 3,335,856 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 plurality of staple blanks made in accordance with this invention disposed therein showing the manner in which the pointed end portions improve the feeding of the strip through the channel.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the intermediate portion of a staple element showing the position of the adhesive layer of the tape disposed thereabove.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale, of a plurality of staple blanks made in accordance with this invention showing the arcuate side faces thereof in detail.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but showing the manner in which the arcuate side faces of each of the staple blanks permit the formation of a roll of staple blanks with a much tighter configuration than would be possible had the side faces been of planar configuration.

The invention will be further described by reference to the specific form thereof shown in the accompanying drawings. In this connection, however, the reader is cautioned to note that the specific form of this invention set forth in the specification herein is for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications could obviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention and would occur to those skilled in this art.

Referring to the specific form of the invention shown in the drawings herein a plurality of staple elements 10 are each formed with a pair of pointed end portions 11. Each staple element 10 is likewise formed with convex arcuate side faces 12. Each staple blank 10 is preferably also formed with a pair of planar opposed faces 13 and 14.

Upon the intermediate portion 15 of each of staple blanks 10 a layer of adhesive 16 is disposed. Overlying adhesive layer 16 is a tape 17 (preferably made of Mylar) which extends laterally on each side of adhesive 16 at 18 and 19.

'In the preferred construction of this invention, in order to insure proper alignment and function of staple blanks 10 an additional layer of adhesive and tape is disposed upon the opposite side of each of staple blanks 10.

The operation of this invention will now be explained.

A roll 20 of staple blanks 10 made in accordance with this invention is disposed within the channel 21 of a fastening device 22. As each staple element 10 is moved forwardly it comes into contact with forming and driving mechanism. The forming mechanism forms each staple blank 10 into a U-shaped staple which is thereafter driven into work. The size of the former is so designed that the end portions 23 and 24 of each of staple blanks 10 which are lateral to the area covered by adhesive 16 are formed into the leg portions of the staple while the intermediate portion covered by adhesive 16 is formed into the crown portion. Hence adhesive does not interfere with the driving of the staple into work.

Furthermore since tape 17 extends laterally at 18 and 19 beyond the area of adhesive 16, adhesive 16 cannot stick to adjacent staples upon adjacent plies of roll 20.

Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 3, pointed end portions 11 of each of staple blanks 10 permit the staple blanks to slide more easily through opening 21 since a knife edge structure is produced.

The above sets forth the manner in which the objects of this invention are achieved.

3 4 I claim: References Cited 1. A staple element strip comprising a plurality of staple blanks in laterally aligned relationship, each of UNITED STATES PATENTS said staple blanks having a pair of end portion and an 2,943, 36 7/1960 Peterssen 59--77 intermediate portion therebetween, an adhesive layer 5 FOREIGN PATENTS upon the intermediate portions of each of said staple blanks, and a tape member overlying said adhesive layer 1,260,969 4/ 1961 a and secured thereto, the lateral portions of said tape ex- 1,038,462 9/1960 ytencling along said staple blanks beyond said adhesive layer. 10 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

2. A staple element strip as described in claim 1 where- LOUIS G MANCENE Examiner.

- in each of said end portions of each of said staple blanks is pointed. J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A STAPLE ELEMENT STRIP COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF STAPLE BLANKS IN LATERALLY ALIGNED RELATIONSHIP, EACH OF SAID STAPLE BLANKS HAVING A PAIR OF END PORTIONS AND AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION THEREBETWEEN, AN ADHESIVE LAYER UPON THE INTERMEDIATE PORTIONS OF EACH OF SAID STAPLE BLANKS, AND A TAPE MEMBER OVERLYING SAID ADHESIVE LAYER AND SECURED THERETO, THE LATERAL PORTIONS OF SAID TAPE EXTENDING ALONG SAID STAPLE BLANKS BEYOND SAID ADHESIVE LAYER. 